Three months ago, I stood with tears in my eyes on a barren hill in Mongolia where my beloved twin brother’s body lay in a casket at the bottom of a hand-dug grave. My tears were not of regret, but of joy in witnessing the testimony of one who had forsaken this world’s treasures to follow Christ. Isaac’s earthly race had finished, leaving us to ponder the twenty-five years that he had run beside us.

The harness clicks in place and muscles tighten as I head up the sharp incline. The slow ride to the top provides ample opportunity for the tension to mount. By the time I’ve reached the summit, my excitement level is somewhere between “Woohoo!” and, “Are you sure you’re up for this, Woody?”

God has used the ATI curriculum—specifically the Wisdom Booklets—in my life to show me that He is alive and His Word does not grow old. Knowing that God’s Word is current and active has strengthened my walk with God and given me greater purpose in learning and retaining knowledge.

We’ve heard the tales before, those dreamy stories of Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty—all individuals who lived in a fairytale world. Their stories are enough to make us gals want to snuggle down under a warm blanket as the plot unfolds, revealing rising tension, climactic moments, and the resolution of the story. There is something in these accounts that tugs at our heartstrings, something that stirs up deeper longings lying beneath the surface of our hearts.

Isn’t it remarkable how often God uses little things in life to teach us major lessons? I was attending the Eternal Impact Summit in the Northwoods. We had some free time on Thursday afternoon, so I went for a hike.

An interview with Stephen Ross. When I first joined ATI, it was then referred to as a “Pilot Program.” My idea of a “Pilot Program” and Dad and Mom’s idea were totally different. When I realized that ATI was not a flight school, my attitude was one of indifference.

An interview with Michael LeFebvre. Looking back, I can see the Lord’s timing in that delay. I, for one, was resistant to the idea of ATI at first. By the second year, however, the Lord had changed my heart so that I actually asked my parents if we could enroll; we were all “on board” with the idea when it actually worked out.

In every one of our communities, there are needs. Sometimes there are physical needs for food or clothing. Sometimes the needs are spiritual for those who are spiritually hungry. With this in mind, we would like to know your thoughts on community ministry.